Originally Posted by
Radiana
Oops, didn't get to finish my post. Just wanted a little advice about what fabrics to get him started with. He could make some capes for super hero costumes, maybe some vests. Does anyone have experience teaching children to sew? All suggestions welcome. Thanks so much.
What fabrics? ... I'd start him with some quilting cottons ... they aren't slippery and are easier for him to manage til he learns a little more as to how to run the machine and work with the fabric at the same time.
While fleece is very forgiving, IMHO it's stetchy-ness and the way you work with it could be a little hard for someone starting out. Likewise the shine of taffeta lining and silky-jerseys is enticing, though could be a total frustration creator for a new sewer. He can have lots of fun starting out with the stiffer cottons ... and then once he's comfortable with that move on to the other fabrics.
As for purchasing the fabrics ... give him a gift certificate and go shopping with him! He's already "designing", so now that he's moving onto the "real" stuff, he'll have lots of ideas as to what he wants. Just help steer him in the right direction and support him along the way. Of course, first he needs to do some basic paper design/sketches, to help you figure out whether he needs one yard ........ or ten!
BTW ... for the gift certificate, make it a personalized Grandma certificate, rather than a store one. You can have fun with what you put on it, including, the $$ value, the sewing lessons, Grandma accompanied STASH trips. And the big benifit it doesn't limit the shopping to one location.
To go with the machine ... how about some thread and some hand sewing supplies that he'll also need.